Relying on Another UC IRB

UC IRB Reliance Registry

UC investigators applying for new or renewed reliances on another UC IRB are required to do so using the UC Online Reliance Registry. Paper NOITRs are no longer processed. Please see the instructions below. For additional assistance, please contact Danielle Dai'Re at ddaire@ucmerced.edu.

UC Merced uses the online UC IRB Reliance Registry for all studies in which our investigators rely on other UC campuses or Lawrence Berkeley National Lab for IRB review or vice versa by means of the UC system memorandum of understanding (MOU). All new reliance requests, renewals and amendments need to be submitted via the online registry.

Below is a summary of the process for reviewing and relying investigators. For detailed information, see:

Registration

For first-time registration, click “register” and complete the “user registration” form. A temporary password will be sent to your email address. Use the temporary password to log in to the registry and create a new password. Registration is now complete.

Creating a New Reliance Request

If you are the reviewing principal investigator, click the "create request" tab and disclose if your study involves the Veterans Administration. Complete the information regarding your role in the study and the other required fields marked by asterisks. Make sure to save your entries if you need to log out at any time.

If you are a student investigator for the reviewing or relying campus, you must identify yourself as a research coordinator and your faculty sponsor as the principal investigator. You will have access to the online reliance request, but only reviewing principal investigators can formally submit it via the registry.

Identify your relying principal investigators. The registry will notify relying principal investigators via email to register and confirm their involvement in the study. Email addresses must be entered accurately as there is no bounce-back function in the system.

Once all reviewing and relying principal investigators have signed up for the study via the registry, the reviewing principal investigator will be able to sign a reliance request form, convert it to a PDF and submit it with his or her protocol application to the campus IRB for review.

Upon approval of the study, the reviewing IRB will add the approval/expiration date, approved protocol, approval letter and any applicable consent forms to the study’s registry record and an automated email notice will be sent to all principal investigators and the relying IRB.

The relying IRB will review the documents and accept or deny the reliance via the registry. If accepted, the relying IRB will upload an "accept to rely" letter, creating an active reliance. All principal investigators and the reviewing IRB will be notified of this decision via automated email.

Submitting Renewals and Amendments
Reviewing principal investigators should submit continuing-review applications of their studies to their campus IRB, per usual. Upon approval, the reviewing IRB will update the study’s expiration date in the registry. No relying principal investigator can continue work on the study if the reviewing campus does not submit a renewal on time.

Amendments must be submitted to the reviewing IRB, which will update any changes to the study in the registry. The relying principal investigator is also responsible for informing the reviewing principal investigator of any necessary amendments.

Reporting Adverse/Unanticipated Events
Reports of adverse and/or unanticipated events must be submitted to the reviewing IRB, which will update any changes to the study in the registry. The relying principal investigator is also responsible for informing the reviewing principal investigator of any adverse/unanticipated events.